Wendy Fox

Press Secretary, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

Boston resident Joe Antonino and his dog Chaos visited all 76 parks in the DCR’s Park Passport program over the summer, a feat worth sharing.

Joe and Chaos – a half boxer, half pit bull who dons a pink collar – were at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport last year and noticed a colorful DCR Park Passport box. Later, they were at Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester and saw another box. Joe got curious, read about the Passport Program on DCR’s website and registered for a passport book online. Joe and Chaos spent the rest of the summer filling it up with park stamps.

“We went out every Tuesday, all summer long,” Joe said. “We did it all in just one day a week.”

Visitors can collect stamps representing each park in the pocket-sized Passport books. Parks are spread all across the state: 15 parks in the Greater Boston Region, 12 parks in the Northeast Region, 12 parks in the Southeast Region, 12 parks in the Western Region, and 25 parks in the Central Region. Collect all the stamps from one region and win a T-shirt!

Joe, 51, said he and Chaos had a ball visiting all those parks. Over the summer, Chaos practiced her counting tricks, caught two fish in Connecticut River Greenway State Park in Northampton, and climbed the walls at Quincy Quarries Reservation.

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I met Joe and Choas at the Connecticut river boat ramp in Gill Ma. July 13,2010. I don’t know who was in charge Joe or Chaos? Joe told me the story about Chaos and how she could fish,and count. You only have to see Joe and Chaos together to see they are a team. Good Luck to you Joe and Chaos.

Way to go Joe and Chaos. I have the pleasure of knowing him professionally, and personally. He is a delightfull person glad to see the great work he has been doing with the parks this year. I look forward to seeing Chaos new tricks, and sharing them with my children.

joe is the best i remember when he first got kaos i grew up in the same area as joe and he’s one in a million great friend just all around good person glad to c u guys having fun in your spare time kaos is amazing counts, speaks and very funny this dog is underdog in the flesh i have witnessed it with my own two eyes

Dave and I met Joe and Chaos at Malibu Beach today after a chilly kayak out to Spectacle Island. Joe introduced Chaos as the dog that can count. Asking the dog questions, she answered correctly every time….asked what the legal drinking age in Mass was….she barked 21 times. Nice meeting you Joe and Chaos

I widnessed something that if I tell people about it they would think im crazy, but I feel soo lucky to be at the right place at the right time; when I first heard kaos count I couldnt believe wat I was hearing, but yes she can count, she can talk,she anwers back everytime u ask her a math question or anything else, it was increadible, I felt in love with kaos, Good job Joe… Shes the best and smartest dog I have ever seen in my whole life…Good luck

Hi Wendy Chaos and I have been very busy hiking and finding over 200 waterfalls in new england. We been to everyone in Mass.,rhode island,conn.,and vermont thats outlined in New england waterfalls.com and only have six trips left to complete N.H. and maine. We were looking for something to do after the parks and found waterfalls. In the past two years we put over 25 thousand miles on my truck. what a great time we are having and Chaos has learned a lot more stuff.Every time I look at the blog,I smile.Thank you again for helping me stay happy with Chaos. If you think a follow up story on Chaos would fun call us at 617-650-6228 or e-mail at jabiljo@yahoo.com. We were on 3 radio shows allready,Tv is tough to get on.If you know any reporters would you consider telling them about Chaos.You can see CHAOS in action on you tube: search for ( shakenna appleberry )look for episode 6 pt. 1 & 2 Nice talking to you Joe Antonino & CHAOS

I was taking sone photos with my family and randomly said hi to Joe and chaos and he told me all about her and I was a little skeptical until…chaos started the math. She even did 3×3 she barked 9 times! No one will believe me unless you are there. When me and my sister went back to tell my mother she didn’t believe us! Also chaos said she wanted some water bc she was soo hot! Great job Joe!

I'm sorry Chaos didn't do her math for you she must have been feeling ill. I think it hurt her heart to bark towards the end. Chaos died a short time after you met her. I'm am still glad that you're one of the thousands to have met her.

Jean Chaos must have been feeling ill that day. I think it hurt her heart to bark. She died shortly after meeting you of heart disease. I am still glad that you are one of the thousands that have met her.

chaos is amazing and i loved the way he knew where the fish swim. I work for the parking dept. in provincetown and met chaos and his master at the M.P.L. lot at the booth. Choas stole my heart. I wish Chaos and John a lot of luck and health. They are the best. Made my day. Such a treat to see how they bond.I really hope to see John and Chaos again. Carol (the parking lot girl) m. p. l

This title of the post invests everything right into perspective for me personally with some chuckle! The passport application is great – glad to determine it still works for the purpose of canines! lakes